Michelle Obama slams President Trump over 'Access Hollywood' tape, debate stalking in book

President Donald Trump turned the tables on his predecessors when he was asked about former first lady Michelle Obama criticizing him in her new memoir "Becoming."
USA TODAY

Former first lady Michelle Obama criticizes President Trump and talks about her relationship with her husband, former President Barack Obama, in her new book, 'Becoming.'(Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)

Former first lady Michelle Obama writes about her accomplished life and her marriage to former President Barack Obama in her new memoir, but early attention likely will focus on some heavy criticism of the man who succeeded him, President Donald Trump.

In her much-anticipated memoir, "Becoming," Obama says she reacted in shock to Trump's 2016 election and tried to "block it all out."

"Becoming" will be released Tuesday, but the Associated Press purchased an early copy. The former first lady will kick off a 10-city book tour the day of the memoir's release, opening in her hometown of Chicago at the United Center in an event moderated by Oprah Winfrey.

Obama specifically rips Trump for his behavior toward women. She denounces him over the infamous 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape, which was released weeks before the 2016 election, in which he bragged about sexually assaulting women.

She also criticizes him for his debate behavior toward 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. She refers to Trump trying to "stalk" Clinton by following her around the stage and "trying to diminish her presence," the AP says.

Obama infers Trump's message, which she conveys in darkened print: "I can hurt you and get away with it."

Trump told reporters Friday before he departed for Paris that Michelle Obama "got paid a lot of money" to write that book and they always expect a little controversy."

"I'll give you a little controversy back," Trump said. "I'll never forgive (President Barack Obama) for what he did to our U.S. military. It was depleted, and I had to fix it. What he did to our military made this country very unsafe for you and you and you."

The book covers many other topics. In an early news release, the publisher said the widely admired former first lady, who has not commented extensively on her White House years, would use "unerring honesty and lively wit" as it explored matters "both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it – in her own words and on her own terms. ... 'Becoming' is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations – and whose story inspires us to do the same."

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According to the AP, Obama writes about racist commentary that's been aimed at her and her marriage to Barack, including early struggles in her marriage as his political career required him to be away.

The couple met with a counselor a handful of times, she writes, with her understanding she was more "in charge of her happiness than she had realized. "This was my pivot point," Obama explains. "My moment of self-arrest."

After Chicago, the tour, scheduled for large arenas, will move to Los Angeles, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Denver, San Francisco and Dallas. Guests at other stops include Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Jessica Parker and Obama and Live Nation are donating 10 percent of tickets to local charities, schools and community groups so some fans can attend for free.

"Becoming" is the product of a joint memoir deal entered into by Michelle and Barack Obama in 2017 with publishing giant Penguin Random House. It's reportedly worth more than $60 million. Barack Obama's book is expected next year and the Obamas have said they will donate a significant amount to charity, including the Obama Foundation.

In May, the high-powered couple also agreed to a deal with Netflix to produce TV series and films.

When Obama revealed the book jacket on Instagram in May, she included a message: “I’m thrilled to share with all of you the cover for BECOMING. The process of writing this book has been so personally meaningful and illuminating for me. As I prepare to share BECOMING this fall, I hope you’ll also think about your own story, and trust that it will help you become whoever you aspire to be. Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.”

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Former first lady and enduring style icon Michelle Obama is back in the spotlight, promoting her memoir "Becoming." Appearing onstage with Tracee Ellis Ross during a stop on her book tour in Inglewood, California, on Nov. 15, 2018, she wore a white suit with flared jacket and wide-legged pants. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Dressed in a tan pantsuit, she sat for an interview with "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts that aired Nov. 11, 2018. Click forward to see more of Obama's post-White House looks. Chuck Kennedy/ABC

On Nov. 12, 2018, Obama wore a royal-blue suit with cream contrast stitching to her alma mater, Whitney Young High School in Chicago, where she met with current students and faculty. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP

Obama popped in a white wrap dress while taking a selfie with model Karlie Kloss, actress/singer Zendaya, and "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida on NBC's "Today." They joined forces to celebrate International Day Of The Girl. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The former first lady looked appropriately summery as she promoted her memoir in a green floral, cap-sleeve dress at the American Library Association Annual Conference, held in New Orleans in June 2018. Erika Goldring/WireImage

Obama joined Tracee Ellis Ross for a conversation at The United State of Women Summit on May 5, 2018. She matched block heels to an ivory, belted coat dress embellished with fringe. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

The day prior, (on stage with her husband, Barack Obama, left, and Chance The Rapper) she layered a black, belted top over a white blouse with ruffle-accented sleeves. She finished the look with black trousers. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Though the gown was a similar hue to the backdrop at Boston's John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, she still stood out in the one-shoulder look. Caroline Kennedy (far left), and her son, Jack Schlossberg (far right), book-ended the stylish couple. Pool, Getty Images

In one of her first appearances since leaving the White House, Michelle traveled to Chicago with Barack for a community event unveiling the vision for the new Obama Presidential Center in an event on May 3, 2017 Nam Y. Huh, AP